A simple 1H NMR based assay of total capsaicinoid levels in Capsicum using signal suppression in non-deuterated solvent

Timothy Woodman, Eduard Negoescu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (SciVal)
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: The heat of Capsicum fruits is routinely assayed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to determine capsaicin (CA) and dihydrocapsaicin (DHC) levels. The assay can be time consuming, with each HPLC run typically lasting 10 min. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is eminently suitable for quantification of fruit extracts, although it has been largely ignored for quantitative chilli analysis. The present study describes a novel approach using solvent suppression in protic solvent (i.e. non-deuterated) to quantify total capsaicinoid levels in chilli extracts. RESULTS: Using solvent suppression techniques and maleic acid as an internal standard, capsaicinoid content in a series of accurately weighed standard samples was determined over a range between 40 and 720 ppm (0.13–2.35 mmolar) with high accuracy and precision. The measurement was linear over the entire range. This method was subsequently used with ten authentic Capsicum samples (seven chinense, two annuum and one baccatum) and showed an excellent correlation with the HPLC data. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study confirm that NMR in non-deuterated solvent can provide a rapid and robust assessment of the pungency of capsicum fruits.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1765-1771
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
Volume99
Issue number4
Early online date18 Sept 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Mar 2019

Keywords

  • Capsaicinoid quantification
  • Capsicum
  • HPLC, NMR analysis
  • chilli fruit

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Food Science
  • Agronomy and Crop Science
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

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